The Gardnerian Book of Shadows, by Gerald Gardner, at sacred-texts.com

The Eightfold Path or Ways.

(1957)

1. Meditation or concentration, actually by the firm knowledge that you can and will succeed -- forming a clear picture in your mind or your requirements.

2. Trance states, Clairvoyance, Projection of the Astral etc.

3. Drugs, Wine, Incense.

4. Dance, Performing Rites with a purpose.

5. Chants, Spells etc.

6. Blood control (Cords etc), Breath control.

7. Scourge

8. The Great Rite

N.B.

The great thing is to combine as many of these paths into the one operation. No 1 must be in all -- for if you have no clear picture of what you wish and no certainty you will not succeed -- 'tis useless. No

2 can be combined with this easily. Nos 3, 4, and 5 are all good preliminaries- also 6 and 7; but No 3 is dangerous and therefore if possible should be avoided, except for incense, which is harmless if too much is not used.

The best combination is Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 7, for small purposes, with no 8 if great force is necessary. Also a combination of 1, 6 and 7 is good if more can not be done; this if properly performed leads to No. 2.